Refrigerator and refrigerating apparatus therefor



Aug. 27, 1929. 'D. P. HEATH 1,726,486

REFRIGERATOR AND REFRIGERATING APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed April 6, 1925 4Sheets- Sheet l lnuemov Mm Aug. 27, 1929. HEATH REFRIGERATOR ANDREFRIGERATING APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed April 1925 4 Sh t. 2

Aug. 27, 1929. p HEATH I 1,726,486

REFRIGERATOR AND REFRIGERATING APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed April 1925 4Sheets-Sheet 3 InueMov Duos? Heoflh y (5 fiovneg Aug. 27, 1929. R HEATH1,726,486

REFRIGERATOR AND REFRIGERATING APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed April 6, 1925 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Inuufior Duos Pliecnh (-h'fovneg.

Patented Aug. 27, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DELOS P. HEATH, 0F GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

REFRIGERATOR AND REFRIGERATING APPARATUS THEREFOR.

Application filed April 6, 1925. Serial No; 20,912.

This invention relates to a refrigerator construction including arefrigerating apparatus and its installation in a box or case wherebythe apparatus performs the combined functions of a vertical partition todivide the box into compartments, serves as a support for the shelvesused, and absorbs heat to thereby cool the interior of the box.

One primary object and purpose of the present invention is to provide arefrigerating unit which, when installed in the refrigerator box, servesas a vertical partition for the same doing away with the usual partialvertical partition required in refrigerators and so constructing theunit that the part thereof which serves as the partition may be locatedat any desired point so as to divide the box into compartments of eitherequal or different sizes and to seal them from each other.

A further object of the invention is to construct a. refrigerating unitwhich may be made, assembled and charged at its place of manufacture,with the manufacture of boxes in which it is to be installed at anotherplace/or factory, the refrigerating unit being capable of shipment whilein completely assembled and charged condition and then readily installedin the refrigerator boxes;

A still further object of the invention and one of importance resides inthe construction of the refrigerating unit and particularly in the tankconstruction thereof, which is of novel form and comprises many novelfeatures of construction and arrangement of parts whereby it is capableof a variety of For instance the tank itself may be used in other placesthan as a part of a refrigerating mechanism though its construction isvery well adapted for such refrigerating use.

Many other objects and purposes than those specifically stated will beapparent as an understanding of the invention is had from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, with some parts broken 'away and insection, showing a refrigerator equipped with refrigerating apparatusand installed therein in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged central vertical section taken through the upperportion of the tank.

BEISSUED Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of said tank. A

Fig. 4 is a front elevation thereof. 7 Fig. 5 is a front elevation of adetail of construction relating to a plate adapted to close the frontend of the upper part of the tan r.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken on the plane of line 66of Fig. 9.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary transverse vertical Isection through theupper'portion of the tan 1.

Fig. 8 is a similar section through the lower portion thereof.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the plane of line 9'9of Fig. 8

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary horizontal section on the plane of line 101O ofFig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a front elevation of a slightly different form ofrefrigerator construction using the same invention. I

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary enlarged front elevation of the constructionshown in Fig.

11,d the doors and front panel being removed, an

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary plan view of a slight modification in theconstruction for passing the refrigerantcarrying pipes.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the different figuresof the drawings. The refrigerator box 1 may be, generally,

of any desired construction and is equipped with a horizontal partition2, some distance above its lower end in one front corner of which a'notch or recess 3 is cut, as shown. Below this partition the front ofthe refrigerator is closed by a reinovable panel f at the upper portionof'which is a removable cross rail 5 adapted to be secured in place. Thefront of the refrigerator above said rail 5 is adapted to be closed bydoors which may be opened for access to the compartments above thepartition 2.

In the construction of the refrigerating apparatus a tank is providedhaving an innor shell of sheet metal with spaced apart vertical sides 6integrally" connected by an arch 7, best shown in'Fig. 7. A shortdistance below this arch a plurality of spaced apart horizontal ribs 8are pressed inwardly from each side 6 preferably of the shape shownwhich. as will later appear,serve a number of functions in theconstruction. Also near their lower edges the sides 6 are formed .withinwardly pressed horizontal beads 9. Atthe back this inner shellstructure is closed by a back plate 10 and at the bottom by a*bottomplate 11, the front being open.

Over the inner shell structure thus made, an outer shell is locatedbeing formed from a single plate of sheetmetal and with alter- ,nateoutwardly pressed ribs or corrugations 12 and connecting sections 13between. This outer shell is formed into substantially U- sbape with itsarch located a distance above the arch 7, making a chamber 14: at theupper end of the tank between the two arches. The outer shell ispermanently connected to the inner shell by welding the sections 13 andthe flanges 13 at the edges of the other shell to the side plates 6 ofthe inner shell. It will be noted that the bottom 11 is formed withup-turned side flanges 11" and that the lower edges of the outer shellpass within the sameand lie against the lower portions of the sides 6,these parts being securely welded together. At the rear end of the tankthe space between the arch 7 and the arch of the outer shell is filledby a filler plate 15 (see Fig. 2) and at the front by a member 16 (seeFig. 5) in which an opening 17 is made adapted to be filled by a head 18from which the usual pipes 19 and 20 for conducting the refrigerant leadto the compressor mechanism of the refrigcrating apparatus usedinapparatus of this character.

The chamber 14 between the arches of theinner and outershells as well asthe spaces between the sides 6 of the inner shell and the outwardlypressed corrugations 12 of the outer shell are adapted to receive therefrigerant which may be of any desired type. The level of therefrigerant is controlled by the usual float 21 shown in Fig. 2. Themechanism relating to the compresser and the control of the refrigerant,as it forms no part of the present invention, is not described indetail. Inasmuch as the pressure within the chamber 14 and to which therefrigerant is subjected is high at times the structure has to be ofconsiderable strength and at the same time should not be very heavy orbulky. With the corrugated outer shell shown this strength is obtained,and to brace and strengthen the inner shell the inwardly pressed ribs 8and 9 as well as the arch construction at 7 are provided. In addition itwill be noted that the ribs 8 and beads 9' make connections between thevarious spaces enclosed by the outward corrugations 12 so that thereis afree circulation permitted of the refrigerant.

The inner shell 6 may be used for storage or for various other purposes.For instance in the upper portion of the shell a semicircular trough 22is located and welded in place, making a substantially circularcompartment at the upper end. Below this compartment a number of trays23 are mounted, being supported on the inwardly extending ribs 8, whichservethis additional func tion beside that of strengthening andreinforcing the inner shell and providing circulation passages for therefrigerant. And in the lower end of the shell a storage compartmentindicated at 24 may be utilized. The upper compartment above the trays23 is adapted to have its front end closed by a removable cover 25 andin this various articles of food or drink may be placedand the same istrue with respect to the lower compartment at 24. In the trays 23, ifdesire water may be placed for the production of ice.

In order to facilitate cleaning the refrigerant holding chamber andspaces the front ends of each bead 9 may be equipped with a sleeve 26into the front end of which a plug 27 is screwed adapted to be removedfor cleaning the tank should this become necessary. This is likely tohappen but rarely when the device is used in refrigerating apparatus butit isevidcnt that the tank construction is capable of use in otherrelations, as for instance in a boiler or as a steam or hot waterradiator wherein cleaning out is of much greater importance. In factthis construction and its use in connection with refrigerating apparatusis technically a boiler, the refrigerant in liquid form boiling andevaporating readily with the reduction of pressure thereby absorbingheat from the outside and reducing the temperature of the surroundingparts, hence the refrigerating action and result. The tank as thusconstructed is adapted to be located vertically in the refrigerator boxand as onemeans of locating and securing it in place it is equipped withupwardly and downwardly extending angle brackets 28 at its upper andlower ends. Also at a number of points at its sides shelf supports 29are secured and extend outwardly. Suitable suspension members 30attached to the upper side of the refrigerator compartment and connectedwith the upper brackets 28, and other supports 31 secured to thehorizontal partition 22 and connected in any suitable manner with thelower brackets 28 locate the tank in place and hold it in desiredposition. It is evident that the tank may be located midway between thesides of the refrigerator box or closer to one side than the other andalso that. there are open spaces both above and below the tank for thefree circulation of air in the compartment. Shelves 32 of usual type maybe carried on the shelf supports 29 on the tank and on like supportsprojecting inwardly from the vertical sides of the refrigerator box.

when installed in a refrigerator the pi pes 19 and 20 pass below thepartition 2. the recess or notch 3 permitting this passage and me belowthis partition and back of the panel 4 is the usual compressorconstruction required with refrigerating devices of this character. Thepipes 19 and 20 are of flexible material, such as copper, and it is notonly possible but very feasiblewith the exercise of proper" care toassemble the entire refrigerating unit and charge the same, and thenship the unit in charged and operative condition any distance desired toa refrigerator factory where the boxes are made, the flexible pipes 19and 20 being coiled in connection with the tank and compressor so as'tooccupy the the same horizontal partition 2, front panel' 4, said crossrail having a notch 3 therein through which the pipes 19 and 20 may passequivalent in all respects to the notch 3 in the partition 2 firstdescribed. At the front of the refrigerator a panel 33 is (located infront of the tank and fitting against the same so as to be substantiallytight. On this panel a hinged door 34 is mounted, the purpose of whichis to gain access to the various compartments at 24 and 25 and the trays23. Instead of the brackets y28and the supports 30 and 31 being used tomount the tank, plates 35 and 36 at the upper and lower ends of the tankextending the full depth of the refrigerator are used. This divides there-' fri erator into two entirely separate and in ependent compartments.It will be noted that the tank is located closer to one side of therefrigerator than the other and it will be evident that as therefrigerating action of the tank on one compartment is the same as inthe other, the smaller compartment will be held to a lower degree oftemperature than the larger. This is a very desirable feature inrefrigerators and it is particularly desirable that various compartmentsin a refrigerator be had which are wholly independent and unconnectedfrom the others. This permits the placing of certain articles in onecompartment and others in another in accordance with the desiredtemperature at which these articles should be kept. Moreover theinterior space in the tank is wholly independent of either compartmentin the refrigerator and the several compartments in i the tank a reindependent of each other, there'- by increasing the range and number ofseparate storage spaces in the refrigerator, each of which isindependentof the other and accomplished, the

does not have to be opened when any one of the others is opened with aloss of ellu-icncy. The doors which are used'to close the compartments,one at each side of the tank, are

independently mounted and may beindcpendently opened and closedas isevident.

The construction described is very practical, is of lightweight but ofgreat strength and with iticeless refrigerators may bevcry simply andeconomically produced. Of

course as stated before the tank construction is not limited in use torefrigerators alone .hut has many features of construction adaptingit'for a variety of'otlier'uses. The invention 1s defined 1n theappended claims and it is to be considered ascolnprchensivc of all.

forms of structure coming within their scope irrespective-of theparticular use to which put. a

I-claim:

""1, A device of the character described comprising, an inner shellhaving spaced apart sides and a connecting arch at their upper ends, anouter shell having spaced apart sides and arch located over the innershell, said outer shell at its upper end being theinner shell and beingformed with alternate outwardly projecting corrugations and intermediateconnecting portions between the corrugations and permanently secured tothe inner. shell whereby a chamber is made between the arches of saidinner and outer shells connecting with which are vertical spaces made bysaid outwardly extendsaid inner shell nearthe lower edges of its endsbeing formed with horizontally located inwardly pressed beads, and atupper portions of said sides with horizontally located inwardly pressedribs, to thereby reinforce the inner shell and provide communicatingpassages between the spaces enclosed by the said outer corrugations andthe sides of the inner shell.

3. In combination in a device of the class described, an inner shellincluding spaced apart sides of sheet metal and an integral archconnecting portion at their upper ends, an outer shell of sheet metalalso having spaced apart sides and an integral connecting upper archportion placed over the inner shell, sa-id'outer shell being formed withalternate outwardly extending corrugations and intermediate flatconnecting portions,

said outer shell being pressed over the inner shell with the saidconnecting portions in the sides of the outer shell lying against thedisposed a distance above the upper end of sides of the inner shell andwith the arch of the outer shell located a distance above the arch ofthe inner shell, whereby said' connected to the sides of said shells attheir lower edges, and aback plate closing the rear end of the innershell, substantially as described.

4. A construction containing the elements in combination defined inclaim 3, said sides of the inner shell adjacent their lower edges beingformed with horizontal inwardly pressed beads, and adjacent their upperportions with a plurality of spaced apart inwardly extendinghorizontally located ribs,

trays slidably mounted on said ribs, and removable means for closing thefront ends of the spaces above and below said trays, substantially asdescribed.

5. In a refrigerator apparatus an expansion chamber comprising an innershell having spaced apart sides and a connecting arch at one end, anouter shell having spaced apart sides and a connecting arch at one end,said arches being spaced apart to provide an unobstructed chamber havingarched toip and bottom, one. ofisaid shells being corrugated, saidshells being welded together at contiguous portions between thecorrugations and at their peripheries to form a chamber for theexpansion of refrigerant.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

DELOS r. nEATn.

